Factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in Belgian nursing home residents during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract In April 2020, Belgium experienced high numbers of fatal COVID-19 cases among nursing home (NH) residents. In response, a mass testing campaign was organised testing all NH residents and staff. We analysed the data of Flemish NHs to identify institutional factors associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among NH residents. Cross-sectional study was conducted between 8 April and 15 May 2020. Data collected included demographics, group category (i.e. staff or resident), symptom status and test result. We retrieved additional data: number of beds and staff, type of beds (leve... Mehr ...
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Dokumenttyp: | Artikel |
Erscheinungsdatum: | 2022 |
Reihe/Periodikum: | Epidemiology and Infection ; volume 150 ; ISSN 0950-2688 1469-4409 |
Verlag/Hrsg.: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
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Sprache: | Englisch |
Permalink: | https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28492474 |
Datenquelle: | BASE; Originalkatalog |
Powered By: | BASE |
Link(s) : | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0950268822000334 |
Abstract In April 2020, Belgium experienced high numbers of fatal COVID-19 cases among nursing home (NH) residents. In response, a mass testing campaign was organised testing all NH residents and staff. We analysed the data of Flemish NHs to identify institutional factors associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among NH residents. Cross-sectional study was conducted between 8 April and 15 May 2020. Data collected included demographics, group category (i.e. staff or resident), symptom status and test result. We retrieved additional data: number of beds and staff, type of beds (level of dependency of residents) and ownership (public, private for profit/non-profit institutions). Risk factor analysis was performed using negative binomial regression. In total, 695 NHs were included, 282 (41%) had at least one resident tested positive. Higher infection rate among residents was associated with a higher fraction of RVT beds, generally occupied by more dependent residents (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.97; 95% CI 1.00–3.86) and higher staff infection rate (IRR 1.89; 95% CI 1.68–2.12). No relationship was found between other investigated NH characteristics and infection rate among residents. Staff-resident interactions are key in SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. Vaccination, regular staff testing, assessment of infection prevention and control strategies in all NHs are needed to face future SARS-CoV-2 epidemics in these settings.